Laurel

A familiar Latin name with steady appeal.

Girl's name| Also boysLatinDeclining Also a pet name
#728 13in 2024

Meaning & Origin

Formerly, a participant aged sixteen or seventeen years old in the Young Women organization of the LDS Church.

Laurel is a girl's and boy's baby name of Latin origin, from the Latin laurus meaning the laurel tree — the bay laurel, whose leaves were woven into wreaths to crown ancient Greek and Roman victors, poets, and heroes. To receive a laurel wreath was the highest honor in the ancient world.

Laurel has a quiet, botanical elegance that has never fully gone out of fashion. With nearly 47,000 U.S. births, it has real history. It is part of the great botanical revival alongside Violet, Iris, and Clover — but Laurel has the added dimension of classical victory and poetic achievement. A name for someone destined to win.

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Popularity Over Time

Laurel has 140+ years of history in the U.S., first appearing in 1883.

02955918861k1900192019401960198020002024

Popularity by Decade

Decade-by-decade popularity data for Laurel
DecadeBirthsTrend
2020s2,075
2010s3,618
2000s3,445
1990s4,365
1980s4,901
1970s4,065
1960s6,365
1950s9,439
1940s4,890
1930s1,525
1920s1,437
1910s366
1900s108
1890s98
1880s42

Year-by-Year Data

View complete yearly data(140 years, 18832024)
Year-by-year popularity data for the name Laurel
YearBirthsRank
2024386#728
2023394#715
2022415#710
2021465#637
2020415#685
2019388#728
2018484#622
2017504#598
2016459#643
2015369#767
2014340#816
2013297#870
2012262#970
2011282#923
2010233#1067
2009241#1061
2008272#982
2007288#939
2006316#850
2005332#783

Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.

Laurel as a Boy's Name

While overwhelmingly a girl's name, Laurel has also been given to 1,860 boys in the U.S. since 1887.

Unranked
Current rank
1,860
Total births
1926
Peak year
Compare Laurel as girl vs boy

Frequently Asked

Can Laurel be used for both boys and girls?
Yes, Laurel is used for both boys and girls. As a girl's name, it currently ranks #728. As a boy's name, it is not currently in the top rankings.

Laurel has two lives

Laurel, the baby name
#728girls
46,739 babies
Currently viewing
Laurel, the pet name
#5214pet name
13 pets
View pet page →

Last updated May 2026 · Data: U.S. Social Security Administration (18832024) · Methodology